Stealth AI startup Ventris sells to Hex-Rays for up to $35M
Belgian reverse-engineering software developer Hex-Rays has acquired Ventris, a one-year-old Israeli AI startup, for up to $35 million. The six-person team, led by 25-year-old founder Elon Gliksberg, built an operating system for AI agents conducting security research without raising external capital.
The acquisition may reflect growing interest in AI applications for security workflows, where automated tools could play a role in areas like vulnerability research. Hex-Rays, known for its IDA Pro reverse-engineering tool, has not disclosed the structure of the deal, though the reported price suggests it saw value in Ventris’ work.
Ventris’ exit follows recent activity among young founders in AI-related ventures, including Zach Yadegari’s $10 million raise for Persona AI and Dhravya Shah’s $3 million seed for Supermemory AI. Ventris’ sale stands out as an example of a bootstrapped startup attracting an acquisition before pursuing venture funding.
The deal invites questions about how established security firms might incorporate AI-native tools—and whether more startups in niche verticals could find similar paths to acquisition. Future developments in adjacent areas, such as AI-assisted debugging or automated threat detection, may provide further insight.
Sources: calcalistech.com
“A rare bootstrapped exit for a young founder highlights the potential appeal of AI-driven security tooling for acquirers.”
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